Speaking with Betway, Jared Gordon gives his opinions on the lightweight division. Talking about some of the top names, from Charles Oliveira to Beneil Dariush and even the champion Islam Makhachev.
A huge Lightweight showdown was set to take place at UFC 288. After falling thru, Dana White is adamant he wants to rebook a number one contender fight, between Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush. Before the fight, Jared Gordon had given his predictions for the lightweight bout.
“After Charles Oliveira beat me, I always wanted him to win so that loss ages better. Beneil Dariush is on a crazy win streak. He is so funky and long, can grapple his socks off, can strike and doesn’t get tired at all. He is the complete package. He has more tools and is just as good a grappler as Oliveira. I don’t think Oliveira’s wrestling is good enough to get him into positions to submit him. I don’t think he has enough to get him into a triangle or armbar. Beneil is too good for that. I think Beneil wins the decision. “
Islam Makhachev Would Beat Oliveira in a Rematch: “Islam Has His Number”
Following on from his previous opinion. Gordon thinks a Charles win wouldn’t gain him UFC gold for a second time. Believing Islam Makhachev would defeat the Brazilian again if the two were to meet.
’I honestly don’t see Charles getting through Beneil. Even if he does, Islam has his number. Islam beat him on the striking – where Charles probably thought he was going to beat him, and then you have to take into account his wrestling. When he fought Volkanovski – there were rumours that he was sick and he went through a lot during the camp. He also had to travel to Australia which adds to a lot of different factors which the casual fan doesn’t see. Islam will make a couple of adjustments from the Volkanovski fightand it will make it a tough task for Charles to come back and win after he lost the first time. “
“I have trained in Dagestan with Belal Muhammad and Islam myself, and the way they train is unique and very different. When you wake up in the morning – you do two hours straight and you end up absolutely exhausted and then they go and train again at night. They have a great system there, which is how they are able to and have been doing this since they were children. It’s in their blood and DNA.”
What do you think of Jared Gordon’s thoughts on the UFC lightweight division? Let us know in the comments!
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
